What Do Process Servers in Pennsylvania Do

This article will provide guidance on What Due Process Servers in Pennsylvania Do? Original process in cases for equity, partition, prevention of waste, and declaratory judgment, when only declaratory relief is sought, may be served by a competent adult in addition to the sheriff in Pennsylvania. Within the Commonwealth, service of the original process must be done by the people authorized by personal delivery. Click Here for Frequently Asked Questions About Process Servers!

Improper service of process can result in delays in the case or even an eventual dismissal of the suit. At Undisputed Legal, we ensure that your documents are safely and speedily delivered to the recipient. If an individual is embroiled in a legal suit, they will need to submit written defenses or objections to the court and enter a written presence with the court, either in person or via an attorney. Failure to do so may result in the case proceeding without the defendant and a judgment being issued against them without further notice for the remedy sought by the plaintiff. Click here for information on How Rush Process Service Can Expedite Your Case.

BACKGROUND

Within thirty days of the issuing of the writ or the filing of the complaint, the original process must be served within the Commonwealth. The prothonotary, upon praecipe and presentation of the original process, will confirm its validity by reissuing the writ in the case of a writ or reinstating the complaint in the case of a complaint if service within the Commonwealth is not made within the time prescribed. Click here for information on How Service of Process Ensures A Solid Foundation.

It is possible to have a writ reissued or a complaint resubmitted at any moment. A reissued writ or refiled complaint may include a new defendant. When a praecipe is presented saying that the original writ or complaint has been lost or destroyed, a replacement writ or complaint may be issued or filed, respectively. Click here for information on How Process Servers Protect Your Rights: Myths Debunked

If a plaintiff initiates an action by issuing a writ of summons and then files a complaint, the plaintiff may, instead of issuing a new writ, treat the complaint as an alternative, original process and as the equivalent for all purposes of a reissued writ, reissued as of the date of the filing of the complaint. The writ may be reissued, or the complaint can be restored as if it were a writ, and the plaintiff can then utilize either the reissued writ or the reinstated complaint as an alternative, original procedure.

Service of process is an integral aspect of the American legal system. The proper delivery of process is essential to ensure that the law is followed. This is why at Undisputed Legal, you may be certain that your court papers will be served promptly, legally, and professionally. We place a high priority on hearing about your situation. We have a long track record of successful process service, and we regard process service as the essential component of the judicial procedure that it is. Sometimes, in order to be of assistance, it is essential to wait around for the target to arrive, and we are willing to do so. We even specialize in locating evasive defendants, so we can ensure that your documents are delivered to the recipient. Please visit our rules and laws page, Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure. For instructions on How To Serve Legal Papers in Pennsylvania, Click Here!

PERSONAL Process SERVICE IN PENNSYLVANIA

If the defendant is an adult, the original process can be served by handing them a copy of the papers, leaving it at the defendant’s home, and giving it to an adult member of the defendant’s family, or if no such adult is present, giving the papers to the adult in charge of the home.

The original process must be served upon the juvenile or incapacitated person in the same way required for service of the original process against an adult defendant or by delivering a copy to the guardian of the minor or incapable person.

Copy of the summons and complaint may be served on the Commonwealth or a Commonwealth official at the office of the defendant and the office of the Attorney General. Upon a Commonwealth department, board, commission, or instrumentality, or a member thereof, service of the original process must be accomplished by delivering a copy to the person in charge at the department’s main office and the Attorney General’s main office.

An extra defendant, not a party to the case, must be served with the original process in the same way as if the new defendant were original. Copies of all previous filings in the case must accompany the complaint against the new defendant. A defendant or extra defendant who files a complaint must serve a copy on all other parties to the case, but they are not required to include copies of any further filings.

Undisputed Legal has extensive experience in the industry and is focused, reliable, quick, and competent. Our process servers in Pennsylvania are knowledgeable, meticulous, and always prepared. Professional process servers in Pennsylvania are well-versed in the right to due process guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. Summonses, complaints, divorce papers, family court documents, subpoenas, citations, small claims court cases, orders to show cause, petitions, discovery documents, evictions, landlord/tenant notifications, motions, and any other legal document may be served by our process servers in Pennsylvania. We are a comprehensive process-serving agency, serving government entities at the federal, state, and local levels, as well as private businesses and individuals.

OUT-OF-STATE SERVICE IN PENNSYLVANIA

A copy of the process must be addressed to the defendant by any form of United States mail, requiring a receipt signed by the defendant or the defendant’s authorized agent if the rules of civil procedure permit the original process to be served by mail. When the defendant or the defendant’s authorized representative signs the requisite receipt, service is complete. If the postal authorities return the letter with a note indicating it was unclaimed, the plaintiff must effect service in accordance with these regulations using an alternative method.

Within ninety days after the issuing of the writ or the filing of the complaint or the issuance or reinstatement thereof, the original process shall be served outside the Commonwealth. Service may be done by mail or as provided by the legislation of the jurisdiction in which service is made for service in action in any of its courts of general jurisdiction. It should be known that service of process should also be done as provided by treaty; or as ordered by the foreign authority in response to a letter rogatory or request.

Our priority is to ensure that servicing of process is carried out quickly and effectively. Every time we serve your legal papers, we make sure to provide you with proof that it was delivered.

When it comes to customer service, we ensure that both the people providing and receiving the service have a positive experience. We offer two levels of service of process in addition to service by mail. Under Routine Pennsylvania Process Service, the first attempt as process service will be essayed by our process server within five to seven days. Under Rush Service, the process server will make its first attempt within forty-eight hours. Further, under mail service, we will mail the documents within twenty-four hours.

The only palpable difference between the different levels of process service is the difference in timelines. For all of our service levels, our process server will make three attempts at service in the morning, afternoon, and evening.

RETURN OF Process SERVICE IN PENNSYLVANIA

Within ninety days of the issue or filing of the writ or complaint or the issuance or reinstatement thereof, the original process shall be served outside the Commonwealth. After the sheriff or other person doing service has completed the serving original process, they must immediately file a return of service. At the end of the time allotted for service, if service has not been performed, a return of no service may be made, and the writ or complaint may be reissued.

The name of the person served, the date, time, location, and method of serving, as well as any other information essential for the court to establish whether appropriate service has been made, must be included in the return of service. A return receipt signed by the defendant is required as proof of service by mail or if the defendant has refused to accept mail service. The plaintiff has thereafter served the defendant by ordinary mail, the returned letter with the notation that the defendant refused to accept delivery, and an affidavit that the letter was mailed by ordinary mail and was not returned within fifteen days of mailing.

It is the responsibility of the prothonotary to receive the return of service or lack thereof. Once the defendant accepts serving the original process, a return of service is not necessary. To inform the party seeking service that service has or has not been made upon a listed person, the sheriff must file a return of service or no service and then send a notice to that effect by regular mail.

If service is made per court order, the court must specify how the defendant is to be notified. This could include publication as provided, posting a copy of the original process in a conspicuous location on the property, sending a registered letter to the defendant’s last known address, or any other means the court deems appropriate.

If service is not possible in accordance with the relevant regulation, the plaintiff may ask the court to issue an extraordinary order dictating the manner of serving. The motion must be supported by an affidavit detailing the efforts to locate the defendant and the circumstances under which service was unsuccessful. A notice of the action shall be published once in the legal publication, if any, designated by the court for the publication of legal notices and once in one newspaper of general circulation within the county if service of process by publication has been authorized by rule of civil procedure or order of the court.

We ensure that our clients are up to date as to the service of their documents. We provide GPS afﬁdavits of service to our clients as well as personalized ‘Real-Time’ email status updates so that you know exactly at what stage your documents are going through. Further, if you have availed yourself of service by mail, we also provide you an email copy of afﬁdavit prior to mailing. We also offer a free basic skip trace for new clients.

Our excellent success rates may be attributed to our dedication to research, preparation, and knowing how to impact service based on the conditions, degree of difficulty, previous efforts, and other things. It has also helped us maintain a high rate of return customers. We appreciate the gravity of the situation and know that there is no ‘one size fits all’ solution to the serving process. Our process servers in Pennsylvania, however, are experienced and exceedingly familiar with the legal intricacies of Pennsylvania. At Undisputed Legal, we will ensure that your documents are in good hands.

OUR PROCESS

Documents can be faxed at (800) 296-0115, emailed to ps@undisputedlegal.com, or uploaded on our website. We do require prepayment and accept all major credit and debit cards. Once payment is processed, your sales receipt is immediately emailed for your records.

Drop-offs must call and make an appointment first to be added to building security to permit access to our office. Documents for service must be in a sealed envelope with payment in the form of a money order or attorney check (WE DO NOT ACCEPT CASH) payable to UNDISPUTED LEGAL INC.; Our receptionist will receive all documents.

DOMESTIC COVERAGE AREAS:

INTERNATIONAL COVERAGE AREAS:

OFFICE LOCATIONS

New York: (212) 203-8001 – 590 Madison Avenue, 21st Floor, New York, New York 10022
Brooklyn: (347) 983-5436 – 300 Cadman Plaza West, 12th Floor, Brooklyn, New York 11201
Queens: (646) 357-3005 – 118-35 Queens Blvd, Suite 400, Forest Hills, New York 11375
Long Island: (516) 208-4577 – 626 RXR Plaza, 6th Floor, Uniondale, New York 11556
Westchester: (914) 414-0877 – 50 Main Street, 10th Floor, White Plains, New York 10606
Connecticut: (203) 489-2940 – 500 West Putnam Avenue, Suite 400, Greenwich, Connecticut 06830
New Jersey: (201) 630-0114 – 101 Hudson Street, 21 Floor, Jersey City, New Jersey 07302
Washington DC: (202) 655-4450 – 1101 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Suite 300, Washington DC 20004

FOR ASSISTANCE SERVINg LEGAL PAPERS IN PENNSYLVANIA

Simply pick up the phone and call Toll Free (800) 774-6922 or click the service you want to purchase. Our dedicated team of professionals is ready to assist you. We can handle all your process service needs; no job is too small or too large! For a complete list of our Pennsylvania Process Service Coverage Areas, Click Here!

Contact us for more information about our process-serving agency. We are ready to provide service of process to all our clients globally from our offices in New York, Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island, Westchester, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Washington, D.C.

“Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction, and skillful execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives”– Foster, William A

Sources

1. Original process in cases for equity, partition, prevention of waste, and declaratory judgment, when only declaratory relief is sought, may be served by a competent adult in addition to the sheriff.

2. A prothonotary or plaintiff certification of the authenticity of the copy of the original process to be served upon the defendant is required.

3. Providing skip tracing and persons find services are essential for effecting service of process, and this requires extensive database research. The first piece of data presented is often wrong. Due to this, a lot of time is lost that doesn’t need to be. The investigatory training of our process servers allows them to proactively confirm topic information (name, address, place of employment, etc.). Because of this, we are able to meet our customers’ demands for a quick turnaround and optimal resource use.

3. Similarly, if the defendant is staying at a hotel, inn, apartment house, boarding house, or other places of lodging, the original process can be served by giving the papers to the management

4. Similarly, if the defendant is staying at a hotel, inn, apartment house, boarding house, or other places of lodging, the original process can be served by giving the papers to the management

5. Service of original process upon a political subdivision shall be made by delivering a copy of the pleadings to the head of the political subdivision’s solicitor or legal department, to the head of the political subdivision’s office, or to an agent duly authorized by the political subdivision to receive service of process, or to the mayor, or the president, chairman, secretary, or clerk of the governing body of the political subdivision.

6. However, the Constitution does not provide that all process servers are equally dependable, efficient, or competent. There are no stipulations regarding the need for a specific license for process servers in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, or Delaware. If you are above 18, you may legally serve papers in certain states.

7. Plaintiff shall have the right of service by sending a copy to the defendant at the same location by ordinary mail with the return address of the sender appearing thereon if the mail is returned with a notation by postal authorities that the defendant refused to accept the mail. If mail sent by regular mail is not returned to the sender within fifteen days, service has been completed.

8. Anyone other than the sheriff who attempts to report service must do so by affidavit. In the event that someone other than the sheriff reports no service, the affidavit must include the steps taken to try to serve the defendant.